Weekly Trade Information-150

The Sleep-Enhancing Wonder: Hops

Hops (Humulus lupulus), commonly known as common hop, is a perennial climbing plant in the Cannabaceae family. Renowned for its distinct bitterness and aroma, hops serve as an indispensable ingredient in beer brewing. Yet their value extends far beyond the brewery. As a natural sleep aid, hops contain humulone—a compound that binds to GABA receptors to ease anxiety and promote restful sleep.

Rich in potent bioactive molecules, hops offer remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Key components like flavonols, rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside), and astragalin (kaempferol-3-glucoside) combat oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species. This protective quality historically supported hops' antimicrobial use, dating back to ancient Egypt for food preservation.

For women’s health, hops deliver isoprenyl naringenin—a derivative of xanthohumol—which helps compensate for declining 17-β-estradiol levels during menopause. Neuroprotective effects are equally compelling: hop-derived terpenes cross the blood-brain barrier, shielding neurons from inflammation and oxidative damage while enhancing cognitive resilience.

Mars and Razer Announce Joint Venture for Gaming Snacks, Targeting 490 Million Chinese Gamers
On June 9, Mars and gaming lifestyle brand Razer announced the official establishment of a joint venture to accelerate the global strategic development of RESPAWN by Razer "Weineng," a snack brand exclusively for esports gamers. The brand was introduced to the Chinese market in 2023 with products like mints and chewing gum. This latest move signals a deeper collaboration, upgrading from trial joint branding to a capital-level investment. According to Little Food Generation’s industry sources, the joint venture is based in the U.S. and targets global markets, including China.

Starting from July this year, Weineng will officially enter over 40,000 convenience stores to achieve economies of scale. Additionally, the brand will undergo comprehensive upgrades in three dimensions: product R&D, flavor innovation, and visual design this year.

（Source: FOODTALKS）

The Commercialization of Medical AI has Entered a Period of Explosive Growth.

The number of AI-medical devices approved by the FDA in Q2 2024 increased by 150% year on year. Medtronic’s latest surgical robot achieves 5G remote control with an error of < 0.1mm. Dubai Health City launched the “Digital Twin Hospital” project, and the virtual copy of the patient can predict the postoperative infection risk 72 hours in advance. Japan has made a breakthrough in developing a nanoscale MRI contrast agent and, in combination with Toyota‘s hydrogen-energy technology, has created a mobile screening unit, which has been piloted in a community in Singapore for early-screening services.

（Source: McKinsey Medical Technology Review）

Nongfu Spring Revives Carbonated Tea, Aiming to Create a Sugared Version of “Oriental Leaves”

On June 4, Nongfu Spring officially announced a new carbonated tea product, “Icy Tea”. According to official information, this product uses 100% genuine tea extraction, employs aseptic cold filling to lock in tea aroma, and is free of potassium sorbate, sucralose, and tea powder.

The new Icy Tea adopts a cold filling process, highlighting 100% tea extraction, abundant carbonated bubbles, and a refreshing lemon fragrance to cut through greasiness. The “100% tea extraction” stands out although previous brands have promoted “original tea extraction”, the 100% claim emphasizes tea soup quality more explicitly.

Notably, both Icy Tea and Oriental Leaves use aseptic cold filling technology. This process maintains tea color, achieves preservation, and locks in aroma. By applying sugar-free tea technology to a sugared tea product, it creates a differentiated tea experience compared to existing market offerings.

（Source: Foodaily）

New Zealand Government Enacts New Grass-Fed Standard

The New Zealand government officially promulgated the New Zealand Dairy Grass-Fed Management Standard (hereafter referred to as the “New Zealand Grass-Fed Standard”) on June 11, 2025. The standard defines “grass-fed” as requiring at least 90% of dairy livestock feed to consist of qualified grass-fed feed types, with animals spending at least 8 hours per day and 340 days per year grazing outdoors or consuming forage crops. This standard highlights New Zealand’s characteristic farming model dominated by grass-fed grazing, a unique advantage of its pasture operations in the global market.

According to information released by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, Fonterra is among the first New Zealand dairy companies to meet this standard. Fonterra's data shows that cows on its pastures roam freely for over 350 days annually, with approximately 96% of their diet comprising forage, hay, and feed crops, meeting and exceeding the requirements of the New Zealand grass-fed standard.

New Zealand is world-renowned for its natural environment, featuring a mild climate, abundant rainfall, ample sunshine, and fresh air, allowing animals to roam outdoors year-round and feed primarily on fresh grass. Compared to milk from grain-fed cows, milk from New Zealand’s grass-fed cows is naturally richer in vitamin D, β-carotene, and conjugated linoleic acid, with a more optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Butter made from grass-fed milk contains higher levels of β-carotene, giving it a natural golden hue, a visible distinction of grass-fed dairy products.

（Source: FOODTALKS）

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